Volume: 1; Issue: 1; June-2015; pp 01 - 07.

ISSN: 2454-5422
SYNTHESIS AND CHARACTERIZATION OF SILVER NANOPARTICLES USING
AQUEOUS EXTRACT GOAT FAECAL PELLETS
R.Karthika1* and S.P.Sevarkodiyone1
1

Post-graduate & Research Department of Zoology, ANJA College (Autonomous), Sivakasi, India.

*Corresponding Author E-mail: karthithangam123@gmail.com

Abstract
The present study deals with synthesis and characterization of silver nanoparticles using
aqueous extract of goat faecal pellets. The production of silver nanoparticles was analyzed by
preliminary changes of colour from pale yellow to dark brown and it indicates the formation
of silver nanoparticles. Further, the nanoparticle was characterized by Surface Plasmon
Resonance through UV-Visible spectroscopic analysis. The observation of strong peak at
535.00 nm and it was achieved at 24 hrs. Functional groups of these silver nanoparticles were
confirmed by using FTIR. The XRD spectrum also confirmed the formation of silver
nanoparticles and the nanoparticle size is 7 nm and shape proved to be spherical nature by
SEM analysis. Elemental silver was confirmed by using EDAX analysis.

Keywords: Silver nanoparticles, Goat faecal pelltes, UV-Vis Spectrophotometer, FTIR,

XRD, SEM and EDAX

Introduction
The word nano is derived from a Greek word meaning dwarf. In technical terms, the
word nano means 10-9, or one billionth of a meter. Targeted nanoparticles exhibit many
novel characteristic features, such as, extraordinary strength, more chemical reactivity,
magnetic properties and or high electrical conductivity. Nanotechnology deals with
application in biological, physical, chemical, environmental, agricultural, industrial or
pharmaceutical science (Adhikari et al 2013). Nanoparticles are particulate dispersion or
solid particles with a size in the range of 10-1000 nm (Mohanraj & Chen 2006).

Silver nanoparticles are emerging as one of the fastest growing materials due to their unique
physical, chemical and biological properties; small size and high specific surface area.

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Volume: 1; Issue: 1; June-2015. ISSN: 2454-5422

Biological synthesis of nanoparticles has received increased attention due to a growing need
to develop environmentally benign technologies in material synthesis. Several plant species
have been utilized in this regard (Sarah et al 2012).

Green synthesis provides advancement over chemical and physical method as it is costeffective, eco-friendly; easily scaled up for large scale synthesis and in this method there is
no need to use high pressure, energy, temperature and toxic chemicals. Nature has devised
various processes for the synthesis of nano and micro- length scaled inorganic materials
which have contributed to the development of relatively new and largely unexplored area of
research based on the biosynthesis of nanomaterials. Synthesis using bio-organisms is
compatible with the green chemistry principles. Green synthesis of nanoparticles makes use
of environmental friendly, non-toxic and safe reagents (Li et al 2007).

The silver nanoparticles mostly synthesized from leaf extract of various medicinal plants.
Hence, the present study was undertaken to synthesis and characterization of silver
nanoparticles using goat dung extract.

Materials and Methods

Synthesis of silver nanoparticles: Freshly collected goat faecal pellets (10g) were mixed with
90 ml of 1 mM silver nitrate solution, and the resulting mixture was incubated for 24 hrs in
dark place at room temperature. Reduction of silver ions in the reaction mixture was
monitored by change in colour of the reaction from yellow to dark brown. The silver
nanoparticles solution thus obtained was purified by repeated centrifugation at 7000 rpm for
20 minutes. The pellets were kept in a lyophilizer for 24 hour for powder form of
nanoparticle. This powder was taken out for characterization studies.

Characterization of biologically synthesized silver nanoparticles: The bio-reduction of silver

ions was monitored by UV-Visible spectroscopy. To determine the nature and size of the
synthesized Ag NPs, X-ray diffraction (XRD) was performed. Functional groups were
analyzed by Fourier Transform Infra Red Spectroscopy. SEM and EDAX spectrum were
recorded by focusing on morphology and clusters of particles.

Karthika & Sevarkodiyone 2015

Volume: 1; Issue: 1; June-2015. ISSN: 2454-5422

Results and Discussion

The present study is an attempt to synthesize AgNPs using goat faecal pellets. The colour of
reaction mixture turned from pale yellow to dark brown after 24 h of reaction, indicating
reduction of AgNO3. Similar result was also observed by Lee et al 2013 using cow milk. The
synthesis of silver nanoparticles in the reaction mixture was further confirmed by UV-Vis
Spectroscopy. The UV-Visible spectra showed an absorption band at 535.00 nm (Figure 1)
which corresponds to the absorbance of silver nanoparticles. UV- Visible spectroscopy is an
important technique to determine the formation and stability of metal nanoparticle in aqueous
solution (Gnana Jobitha et al 2012). Rajakumar and Rahuman 2011 reported that Eclipta
prostrata leaf extract showed absorption band at 420 nm. UV- Spectra recorded at 425 nm
when green synthesized silver nanoparticles from aqueous bark extract of Ficus racemosa
(Velayutham et al 2013).

SEM results provided the information about morphology and size of the silver nanoparticles
(Figure 2). The shape of the silver nanoparticles was found to be spherical. The average
particle size was identified as 7 nm.

Further SEM image showed the high density of silver

nanoparticles and confirmed the synthesis of silver nanoparticles by the calculation of XRD
analysis. Vaishnavi et al 2015 reported that the SEM image showed that the synthesized
silver nanoparticles was cluster and their size ranged from 14-17 nm. Similar shape of
nanoparticles was synthesized by Musa balbisiana (Banerjee et al 2014). The XRD data
showed 2 intense values with various degrees such as 37.10, 47.66, 63.97 and 70.01 and
these results are corresponds to (111), (200), (220) and 311 Braggs reflection based silver
nanoparticles (Gnanadesigan et al 2011). Govarthanan et al 2014 the XRD pattern with the
diffraction peaks at 46.1, 54.55, 67.74, and 76.84 corresponding to the 111, 200, 142,
220, and 311 planes for silver.

The EDAX spectral pattern showed the successful synthesis of silver nanoparticles from goat
faecal pellets extract. EDAX results, a peak of silver and confirmed the presence elemental
silver in the suspension. This result is with consistent with many reports, leaf extract of J.
sambac (Vaishnavi et al 2015), leaf extract of Euphorbia hirta (Durgadevi et al 2014).
The FTIR spectrum of produced silver nanoparticles had many absorption bands (Fig 3) and
the absorption bands seen at 630.68 cm-1, 702.04 cm-1, 1041.49 cm-1, 1240.14 cm-1, 1529.45
cm-1, 1641.31 cm-1 ,2916.17 cm-1 and 3290. 33 cm-1 were assigned to the C-Br stretching of
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Volume: 1; Issue: 1; June-2015. ISSN: 2454-5422

alkyl halides, = C-H bend of Alkenes, C-F Stretching of Alkyl halides, C-O Stretching of
Alcohols, N-H bend of Amides, C=O Stretching of Amides, C-H Stretching of Alkanes and
Alkyls and C-H Stretching of Alkynes. This indicates that the silver nanoparticles
synthesized using extract of goat dung was proved to have all these functional groups in it.
Similar result was reported by Lalitha et al 2013 the spectrum exhibits the band at 3237 cm-1
corresponding to amide group (strong peak) it indicates silver nanoparticles synthesis by leaf
extract of Azhadirachta indica. Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR) analysis was
carried out to determine the nature of the capping agents in each of Musa balbisiana
(banana), Azadirachta indica (neem) and Ocimum tenuiflorum (black tulsi) leaf extracts
(Banerjee et al 2014).

Fig 1: UV- visible absorption spectrum of silver nanoparticles synthesized using goat
dung extract.

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Volume: 1; Issue: 1; June-2015. ISSN: 2454-5422

Fig 2 SEM images of synthesized silver nanoparticles at different magnification: (A) 20 kv

10,000; (B) 20 kv 20,000; (C) 20 kv 55,000; (D) 20 kv 100,000.

Fig 3: FTIR spectrum of silver nanoparticles synthesized using goat dung extract.

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Volume: 1; Issue: 1; June-2015. ISSN: 2454-5422

Acknowledgement
The authors express the profound thanks to the Management, Principal and Head of the
Department of Zoology, Ayya Nadar Janaki Ammal College (Autonomous), Sivakasi for
providing facilities to carry out this research work.
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